VGF AQEE- and GGEE-peptides differentiate between dementia types.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) present overlapping clinical features, posing diagnostic challenges.
• AQEE and GGEE peptides, derived from proVGF, are potential cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for dementia.
• Previous studies indicated reduced AQEE-10 and GGEE levels in DLB patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the diagnostic utility of AQEE-10 and GGEE peptides in differentiating dementia subtypes.
• To analyze CSF samples from new and previous cohorts to validate biomarker potential.

Main Methods:

• CSF samples from patients with Parkinson's disease dementia/DLB, AD, and healthy controls were analyzed.
• AQEE-10 levels were quantified using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and ELISA.
• GGEE levels were measured using ELISA.

Main Results:

• MRM analysis showed significantly reduced AQEE-10 levels in DLB compared to controls and AD (ROC-AUC: 78% and 82%).
• ELISA confirmed reduced AQEE-10 and GGEE levels in DLB, with a positive correlation between them.
• These findings support the peptides' role in distinguishing DLB.

Conclusions:

• AQEE-10 and GGEE peptides are promising CSF biomarkers for differentiating DLB from AD and other dementias.
• The study validates and extends previous findings on these proVGF-derived peptides.
• Further research can explore their clinical application in dementia diagnosis.